scholarly journals An Independent Review of Several Successful Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) Implementations and Lessons Learned

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Bulson
Keyword(s):  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Independent Review

ICS CONTRIBUTES TO THE NORTH CAPE OIL SPILL RESPONSE1

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 (1) ◽  
pp. 737-742
Author(s):  
LT Tina M. Burke ◽  
LT John P. Flynn
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Management System ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
The North ◽  
Oil Spill Response

ABSTRACT In recent years, the usefulness of the incident command system (ICS) has received much attention. Much of the oil industry and several government agencies involved in all types of emergency response have been using ICS for many years. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard formally adopted the national interagency incident management system (NIIMS) ICS as the response management system of choice in February of 1996. The response to the tank barge North Cape grounding was a complex multiagency effort that brought with it many of the issues and problems responders face when dealing with crisis situations. This paper describes the ICS-based organization that was established to respond to the major North Cape oil spill, analyzes the organization compared to standard ICS, and discusses how the ICS framework and principles contributed to the success of the response. It also explains how closer conformity to standard ICS could have remedied many of the issues that later surfaced as lessons learned, resulting in improved response efficiency. The North Cape response provides a vivid example of how ICS is a helpful management tool that, if rigorously learned and applied in a widespread fashion, can greatly enhance the nation's oil spill response posture.

scholarly journals California's Stakeholder Matrix: A Liaison Tool for the first 96 hours of Response

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Najah Addassi ◽  
Cassidee Shinn
Keyword(s):  
Risk Communication ◽  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Liaison Officer ◽  
California Department ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
High Level

ABSTRACT Research on crisis and risk communication continues to illustrate the need for and benefits of early and sustained stakeholder engagement during disasters, both natural and manmade. The California citizenry is deeply committed to environmental protection and expects to “engage” with their government on policy development and environmental solutions. Stakeholders expect a high-level of government transparency, driving the need for engagement even more during emergency responses such as oil spills. Within the Incident Command System (ICS), it is the responsibility of the Liaison Officer (LOFR) to coordinate and share information with stakeholders. A review of “After Action Reports” and “lessons learned” from oil spills, both nationally and within California, point to the continued need for strong stakeholder engagement by the LOFR and has become a priority of California's lead oil spill response agency, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR). Building off stakeholder engagement tools found in crises and risk communication literature and in Incident Command System job aids, OSPR crafted a stakeholder matrix that was readily scalable, easy to use, and easy to translate to Incident Commanders and other Command Staff during response. This matrix is a template of simple inputs, allowing stakeholders and engagement strategies to be identified, grouped, and prioritized. It is intended to be a planning tool for the first 24–96 hours, a precious time in a response. It is often too early to expect the LOFR to have completed a stakeholder engagement plan, yet this time is critical to initiating early stakeholder communication that will set the tone for the response. This matrix serves as the initial plan for the LOFR. This paper will describe the development of this tool, its evolution, and its use. It will also highlight feedback from exercises and response partners. It will describe the flexibility and scalability, and considerations for broader applications.

The effect of training on disaster response: Lessons learned from recent events

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Hessam M. Afshari, BS ◽  
Paul N. Cervone, MD, LTC ◽  
Mark J. Seaton, PhD ◽  
Miley A. Taylor, BA ◽  
Bruce S. Rudy, DEd
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Different Response ◽  
Training Exercises

National attention to emergency preparedness has resulted in the development of numerous tabletop and exercise-based training programs for responders. The importance of this type of training with respect to the effectiveness of disaster response, while not in doubt, is difficult to measure. Here, we examined after action reports (AARs) from a variety of disasters in an attempt to determine what, if any, effect training has had on the response to a particular event and on disaster response in general.We also examined AARs and lessons learned from two training exercises. Possibly, the most significant effect of training was the opportunity for people from different response units to interact as a team. Exposure to the Incident Command System was vital to the smooth deployment of assets.

Lessons Learned From Implementing an Incident Command System During a Local Multiagency Response to a Legionnaires’ Disease Cluster in Sydney, NSW

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Quinn ◽  
Travers Johnstone ◽  
Zeina Najjar ◽  
Toni Cains ◽  
Geoff Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Public Health Risk ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Disease Cluster ◽  
Legionnaires Disease

AbstractThe incident command system (ICS) provides a common structure to control and coordinate an emergency response, regardless of scale or predicted impact. The lessons learned from the application of an ICS for large infectious disease outbreaks are documented. However, there is scant evidence on the application of an ICS to manage a local multiagency response to a disease cluster with environmental health risks. The Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit (PHU) in New South Wales, Australia, was notified of 5 cases of Legionnaires’ disease during 2 weeks in May 2016. This unusual incident triggered a multiagency investigation involving an ICS with staff from the PHU, 3 local councils, and the state health department to help prevent any further public health risk. The early and judicious use of ICS enabled a timely and effective response by supporting clear communication lines between the incident controller and field staff. The field team was key in preventing any ongoing public health risk through inspection, sampling, testing, and management of water systems identified to be at-risk for transmission of legionella. Good working relationships between partner agencies and trust in the technical proficiency of environmental health staff aided in the effective management of the response. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:539–542)

RESPONSE INFORMATION FLOW MANAGEMENT: CONSIDERATIONS FOR PLANNING AND TRAINING

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 (1) ◽  
pp. 865-870
Author(s):  
Christopher Hall ◽  
John Murphy ◽  
LCDR Bradford Benggio
Keyword(s):  
Information Management ◽  
Information Flow ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
External Information ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Response Information ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
Flow Of Information

ABSTRACT Spill responses are information-intensive events. The Incident Command System (ICS) does not adequately address the concepts and techniques of response information management, particularly the internal information flow used to manage the response. Automated systems based on Incident Command System forms do not provide the solution. Response information management procedures must be planned. Both internal and external information needs must be identified so that resources can be allocated to ensure effective information flow. Personnel at all levels in a response need to understand the concept of proactive, aggressive information management. This paper reviews lessons learned from spill exercises and actual spill responses over the past 5 years. It also discusses considerations for improving the flow of information within the ICS. It recommends specific training and planning guidelines for gathering, displaying, and distributing response information.

MAKING ICS WORK FOR YOU WHEN IT REALLY COUNTS! – HARD LESSONS LEARNED ON THE SHORES OF CALIFORNIA

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 741-745
Author(s):  
Carl Jochums ◽  
William Robberson
Keyword(s):  
Fault Tolerant ◽  
Response Speed ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Moment ◽  
National Significance ◽  
The Right ◽  
Message Mapping

ABSTRACT The moment an oil spill occurs, response speed is of the essence. Yet how often have you participated in the Incident Command System (ICS) at a spill and been frustrated with the speed or the coordination of the response? How often has a response been declared a success but getting there was so frustrating and exhausting that you've sworn you won't work that way anymore? ICS is here to stay; yet how you can consistently make it work optimally for you and the response remains a challenge. This paper is based upon the premise that ICS enables the right information to be communicated to the right people, in the right format, at the right time. However, during most response debriefs, at the top of the “needs improvement” list you will find numerous references to the failure of information flow and communications. In this paper we share some of the hard lessons-learned in spill response along the California Coast, and ways in which some of the agencies involved today are proactively “preparing to communicate” within the Incident Command System. We use case histories of past and recent spills and the California Spill of National Significance 2004 exercise to illustrate the communications and coordination problems inherent in most response Incident Command structures. A variety of issues are considered; from the evolutionary paths of most responses; to the numerous personalities and egos involved; to the wide array of expectations amongst participants and stakeholders; and the often unique and varied authorities and agendas that multiple agencies bring to a response. We also suggest innovative ways in which the process of communications within the ICS is being augmented, enhanced, and set-up for success. We introduce concepts such as “data mining,” “embedded information specialists,” “fault-tolerant” communications mechanisms, “message mapping,” and “NEBA front-end loading”. A number of communications tools and concepts are described, that if implemented, will greatly improve multi-agency coordination and communications during a response, leading to a less stressful and more successful response outcome.

SAN JACINTO RIVER INCIDENT: ARMEGEDDON VISITS HOUSTON

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 (1) ◽  
pp. 972-972 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph J. Leonard
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Ignition Source ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Direct Response ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Southeast Texas ◽  
Unified Command

ABSTRACT In October 1994, southeast Texas experienced some of its worst flooding ever. Near Houston, the raging waters of the San Jacinto River caused a pipeline to rupture, spilling vast quantities of gasoline. When this gasoline found an ignition source, the river became a devastating conflagration. The Coast Guard immediately activated its incident command system (ICS) with a unified command to direct response activities. Lessons learned following the San Jacinto River incident will improve future response activities and serve as the foundation for the adoption of the National Interagency Incident Management System (which includes the ICS) by the Coast Guard and the state of Texas.

A Model Grassroots Approach for Incident Command System Implementation1

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 (1) ◽  
pp. 427-431
Author(s):  
Peter Gautier ◽  
Carol McAllister ◽  
Kristy L. Plourde
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Building Relationships ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Implementation Team ◽  
Marine Safety

ABSTRACT Two years ago, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) formally adopted the National Interagency Incident Management System (NIIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) as doctrine for response management to oil and hazardous materials incidents. USCG Marine Safety Office (MSO) San Francisco Bay has aggressively implemented ICS as the way it conducts spill response in addition to how it carries out many of its routine operations. In a comprehensive effort to improve readiness through ICS, the MSO has established an ICS implementation team. This team constructed an ICS-based organization chart, referred to as a Watch Quarter and Station Bill (WQSB), crafted a training program, prepared ICS equipment and supply “go kits” for spill deployment, and developed administrative measures to maintain and track the program. The MSO's training program is two pronged, consisting of ICS classroom training to teach best practices alternating with process tabletop exercises to reinforce lessons learned from responses. Each session is open for attendance by state and federal trustees as well as local USCG operational units. In this way, the MSO reaches out to the local response community to establish ICS expertise and enhance response relationships. The MSO's implementation plan has proven to be extremely valuable in building the knowledge of personnel, building relationships and better preparing everyone for future spills.

scholarly journals WHERE CRISIS AND CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMENT MEET1 (MANAGING CONCURRENT OPERATIONS)

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 973-977
Author(s):  
Jonathan D. Sarubbi ◽  
Brian Lynch ◽  
Tim Y. Deal
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Maritime Security ◽  
Delaware River ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Consequence Management

ABSTRACT The National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) was created in response to the 1989 EXXON VALDEZ oil spill disaster and is focused on strengthening a port community's preparedness to respond to oil spills. In planning for its PREP exercise in 2003, the oil spill response community within the Delaware River Port Complex saw an excellent opportunity to leverage the PREP exercise program to create an exercise that combined a major oil spill response with law enforcement operations that included: implementing security measures for protection of maritime infrastructure, crime scene investigation and intelligence collection. The PREP exercise scenario involved a catastrophic oil spill that was the result of a terrorist incident. The overarching objective of the exercise was to use the Incident Command System (ICS) to manage concurrent operations involving law enforcement response (Crisis Management) and response operations aimed at protecting public health and safety (Consequence Management). To integrate the two distinct disciplines of law enforcement operations and oil spill response, the exercise objectives included: (1) testing an ICS organizational model to manage spill response and maritime security with the FBI's Joint Operations Center (JOC), which is responsible for investigation and intelligence activities; (2) developing Incident Action Plans that integrate both oil spill and maritime security operations; and, (3) using the common processes inherent in ICS, to coordinate the efforts of 25 responding agencies to create a cohesive response. In the case of the Philadelphia exercise, the convergence of crisis and consequence management required unprecedented cooperation by all responding agencies. Focusing on the Incident Command System was absolutely critical for multi-agency operations. This paper discusses the 2003 Philadelphia PREP exercise and the valuable lessons learned in conducting concurrent operations under a single management system.

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